HomeMissouriCallaway RacewayJon Binning, Joe Walkenhorst, and Jason Russell Capture ULMA Triple Crown Shootout...

Jon Binning, Joe Walkenhorst, and Jason Russell Capture ULMA Triple Crown Shootout Victories!

Published on

- Advertisement -

ULMA - United Late Model AssociationSam Stoecklin
ULMA Public Relations
July 3, 2012

If someone asks, what includes three straight nights of racing, sizzling temps, close-quarters action, and increased purses? There is only one answer you need to know, and that is another Lucas Cattle Company ULMA ‘Triple Crown Shootout’ is now in the review mirror of late model drivers. When the last speck of dust settled on Sunday evening, Jason Russell of Henley, Missouri walked away with the title of 2012 shootout champion. Russell’s quest to become shootout champion began on Friday at Callaway Raceways in Fulton, Missouri, when the track hosted twelve competitors for a $650-to-win main event. ULMA welcomed Chris Lapp and David Miller as new ULMA members.

Through the two preliminary heat races, it did not take long for Russell, Lapp, and three-time Callaway winner Bob Test to establish themselves as favorites for the night. All three of these drivers have previously visited victory lane this season and each man knew that establishing a strong run early on could lead to a victory. Russell quickly took his #2j to the point as he’s done several times this season and became the man to beat. Ultimately, Russell, who is the current overall ULMA point leader, captured his fifth Callaway victory over runner-up Test, Lapp, Brandon Imhoff, and Darren Turner inside the top five. Other top ten finishes by ULMA members included Zeke Langley sixth, Todd McCoin seventh, Gage Wineland, eighth, and Miller in Tenth. Chris Cox was also present for the night’s racing.

Callaway Raceway returns to action again this Friday with another weekly program featuring six exciting classes, including ULMA late models, A-Mods, B-Mods, Sportsmen, Hornets, and Jr. Hornets. Gates open at 5:00 PM, hot laps at 7:00 PM and races start at 7:30 PM. Adult admission $12. Ages 7-12 is $5, 6 and under free. Pit passes are $25. The track is located 3 miles south of Fulton on Route C. Turn right onto county road 404. Go approximately 3/4 of a mile and turn left on county road 405. Go 1 mile, Callaway Raceways is on the right. Watch for signs. Physical address: 7419 County Road 405, Fulton, MO 65251. Visit the track online at www.callawayraceways.com.

Valley Speedway saw 11 drivers check in for racing as ‘Westside’ competitors also began their quest for the shootout. The late model main event was a close one for the fans and went right down to the wire for the drivers. Two qualifying heat races set the lineup for the 20-lap main event later in the evening. For Rod End Supply heat race number one, Independence, Missouri driver Bob King led the way and held off Clancy for the win. In BuyRaceParts.com heat race two, Joe Walkenhorst of Lee’s Summit grabbed the victory to start his shootout weekend off strong in a heated battle with Kevin Coyne and Jason Bodenhamer.

Walkenhorst and Clancy started from the front in the main event with Chris Hawkins and King in tow. Walkenhorst led early by utilizing the low side; however, coming off the exit of turn two his car did not have the grip it needed and Clancy was able to head to the front of the field. The two drivers had a classic battle for several laps at the front of the field. Clancy was hungry for the win and nosed his car to the point on a few occasions using the high side in hopes of claiming his first ULMA win of the year. Walkenhorst, coming off of two runner-up ULMA finishes was also looking for a victory. Clancy and Walkenhorst continued their battle using different race lines through the mid stages of the race. Meanwhile, eleventh-starting Bodenhamer began to come forward just short of halfway in the race and became a threat for the win. Just passed halfway, Brett Wood, Chris Hawkins, Coyne, and Bodenhamer tried to secure top-five finishes in some tight racing.

Late in the race, Clancy drifted too far over the turn two embankment and lost several spots in the field with his bid for the win going by the wayside. As the race drew to a close, Walkenhorst had a close-up view of Coyne’s #22 car as the two drivers ran hard for the victory. Bodenhamer by now had settled into third after another round of vinyl wrap side-swapping action with Coyne, who fought off the challenges of Bodenhamer to keep his bid for the win alive. In the end, Walkenhorst denied Coyne his first ULMA victory of the year while netting his own victory and trip to the winner’s circle, his first-ever ULMA sanctioned feature win. Coyne and Bodenhamer followed to the line as Brett Wood, Hawkins, Jon Binning, King, Nathan Cates, Clancy, and Jimmy Jobe all finished inside the top ten. Jimmy Morris was also on hand but did not start the main event.

Visit Valley Speedway on the web at www.valleyspeedway.com. ULMA has this weekend off at the speedway but will return again for another night of ‘Fast Friday’ racing at the track on Friday, July 13. Tickets: Adults $12, Kids $5, Reserved $13, Party Deck $15, Pit Passes $25. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Take I-70 East to Exit #24, south through Grain Valley to stoplight at Old 40 Highway, turn East 1/4 mile to the track. Physical address: 348 E. Old 40 Highway, Grain Valley, MO 64029.

The action moved south to Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri on Saturday for a $1,000 payday during the track’s annual shootout week late model special. Thirty drivers competed in four preliminary heat races with Binning claiming heat one. Hometown favorite Andy Kennedy had a strong return to action with a convincing win in heat two while Walkenhorst kept his strong weekend going with a win in heat three. R.D. Peterson claimed heat number four while Evan Hubert secured a starting spot for the main event by claiming the b-main.

Binning, who was searching for his first ULMA win in a year and Walkenhorst, fresh off his Valley Speedway victory, led the 24-car starting field to the initial green flag. Binning quickly shot out to the front in the 25-lap race, bringing Walkenhorst and fifth-starting Bodenhamer along for the ride. The lead trio stayed locked together through the first four laps until the caution flag waived for Jake Williams, who spun in turn four. When the race resumed, Binning led GRT chassis stable mate Bodenhamer with seventh-starting Jason Russell advancing to third. By lap ten, the leaders had the fans on the edge of their seats as they raced hard for the big payday. A second caution flag waved at lap ten for debris on the track but the race quickly went back to green-flag conditions as Russell began to make his move forward.

Russell continued his run to the front and by lap 15 grabbed the lead from Binning, leaving him to battle with Bodenhamer. Gage Wineland had a consistent run throughout the main event as the teenager raced inside the top ten with Jeremy Kelley, Larry Jones, and Brandon Imhoff. Wineland ultimately finished in twelfth position at the conclusion of the race, just shy of a top ten finish. Back up front, Russell continued to set a blistering pace with Binning just a few car lengths back. Coyne, who started ninth, made his way to the top five just passed lap 15 along with tenth-starting Jeremy Kelley. At the conclusion of the race, Russell claimed his association-leading eighth ULMA victory of the year by holding off Binning and Bodenhame. Keeley passed Coyne late in the race for a fourth-place finish and relegating Coyne to fifth. Walkenhorst, Jones, Evan Hubert, Peterson, and Imhoff completed the top ten.

This weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway is mid season championship night. The NBRA boat races are in action at Lake Lucas and fans can take in both events on Saturday for just $17. Gates open at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Visit the track online at www.lucasoilspeedway.com.

For the first time ever, the Triple Crown Shootout finished at Kyle and Carol Wirts’ beloved Double XX Speedway in California, Missouri. The tight quarters of the paper-clip style track, which arguably has the most devoted dirt-racing fans in our region, produced close and exciting action as drivers raced hard to slow down the Jason Russell freight train. A dozen competitors were present for the night’s action, just about the perfect amount of cars to entertain the crowd. The three heat race winners were Binning, Bodenhamer, and Walkenhorst to set the stage for the Taylor Tire Distributors dash for cash. Four cars competed in the dash but no driver had anything for Bodenhamer as he collected a cool $100 for dominating the event. Once the heats and the dash were complete, the stage was set for the $750-to-win, 25-lap feature event.

Binning and Walkenhorst made up the front row with Bodenhamer and Russell just behind to keep things interesting for the fans. Binning shot to the lead with Walkenhorst close behind until the caution flew on lap three for Bob Test. The race quickly went back to green as Bodenhamer tried to hold on to third place with Russell pressuring for the position. Coming off turn two, Bodenhamer and Russell got together as the two ran out of room on the exit of the turn with Bodenhamer’s car suffering left and right-side damage, which ultimately ended his night. The caution flew for Bodenhamer’s stalled car on lap six, bunching the field for another restart, which turned out to be a troublesome portion of the race for many drivers.

Just after the next restart, several cars got together in turn four including Imhoff, who received a flat tire in the melee. Imhoff’s regular crew, along with Jason Bodenhamer, worked quickly to change the tire within the two-lap time frame. Imhoff did make it out to resume the race to the delight of the crowd. However, the hard work turned out to be for not as Imhoff was involved in another restart melee when Gage Wineland’s car was sent spinning down the front stretch. Top-five runner Joey Potter received heavy damage, which also led to his demise at lap ten. The next restart was clean and the race resumed with Binning leading the way over Russell, who was going for his third win in as many nights. Wineland thrilled the crowd following his teammate Bob Test into the top five before lap 20 after his earlier spin. Ultimately, Binning pulled away from Russell to claim his first victory of the year over Russell and Walkenhorst. Test, Wineland, Coyne, McCoin, Cox, Potter, and Imhoff rounded out the top ten with Bodenhamer 11th and Dave Mosley 12th.

ULMA wishes to thank Kyle and Carol Wirts and the entire Double XX Speedway staff for hosting two ULMA races again this year. ULMA also thanks Bonecutter Body Shop’s Steve and Missy Bonecutter of California, Missouri for assisting with the race purse. Without their support, ULMA could not have held the finale of the shootout at Double XX Speedway! Also on the ULMA thank you list is Taylor Tire Distribution for their sponsorship of the dash-for-cash race. Lastly, thank you to the drivers who participated in this year’s shootout and throughout the entire weekend of action. The 2012 Triple Crown Shootout champion is Jason Russell with Binning, Walkenhorst, Coyne, Test, and Bodenhamer also placing in the money.

ULMA’s title sponsor is Lucas Cattle Company. Contingency sponsors are Rod End Supply and Buyraceparts.com. Affiliate sponsors include Imhoff Construction, Bone Cutter Body Shop, PhotoGraphics by Shelly Payne, General Fence LLC, Midland Printing, and Taylor Tire Distribution. ULMA is a proud supporter of Homes for Our Troops. Email your request to join ULMA’s email group by sending your request to unitedlatemodelassociation@hotmail.com. Visit the association’s website for schedule of events, race history, results, points, and much more at www.ulmaracing.com or like ULMA on Facebook.

ULMA Standings:
POS CAR # NAME STARTS POINTS
1st 2J Jason Russell 21 1718
2nd 86 Brandon Imhoff 21 1678
3rd 1T Chris Cox 18 1475
4th 23Z Zeke Langley 15 1431
5th 133 Chris Hawkins 13 1340
6th 22 Kevin Coyne 14 1330
7th 90 Joe Walkenhorst 11 1139
8th 1 Bob Test 11 1122
9th 0X Justin Russell 12 1121
10th 65 Jon Binning 11 1099
11th 7 Brett Wood 11 1083
12th 3K Jason Bodenhamer 10 1073
13th 8 Darren Turner 10 1006
14th 7X Todd McCoin 10 1001
15th 99 Larry Jones 9 900
16th 5 Tommy Cordray 8 864
17th 9M Jimmy Morris 9 850
18th 12C Steve Clancy 8 782
19th 12 Gage Wineland 9 756
20th O4 Jeremy Kelley 7 754

Upcoming ULMA Races:
Friday, July 6th – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, July 7th – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, July 13th – Callaway Raceway
Friday, July 13th – Valley Speedway
Friday, July 20th – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, July 21st – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, July 27th – Callaway Raceway
Friday, July 27th – Valley Speedway
Friday, August 3rd – Callaway Raceway
Friday, August 3rd – Valley Speedway
Saturday, August 4th – Lucas Oil Speedway
Friday, August 10th – Callaway Raceway
Friday, August 10th – Valley Speedway
Friday, August 17th – Callaway Raceway
Saturday, August 18th – Lucas Oil Speedway

- Advertisement -

Recent articles

Lonestar Sooner Stampede Continues with Two Night Cotton Bowl Trip

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Lonestar Sooner Stampede Continues with Two Night...

Atomic and Brownstown on Deck for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

BATAVIA, Ohio (March 18, 2024) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt...

Springfield Raceway Results – 3/16/24

21 entries MW MODZS B CLASS BY HAYDEN MACHINERY A Feature 1 (20...

COMP Cams Super Dirt Series Ready for Oklahoma and Missouri Weekend

Arrowhead Speedway and Springfield Raceway Double Shot on DeckCONWAY, Ark. (03/11/24)...

Herzog Aiming To Continue Climb Towards The Top With Lucas Oil MLRA

Wheatland, Missouri (March 15, 2024) – Jeff Herzog had high aspirations...

World of Outlaws History in the Lone Star State

TEXAS TRADITION: World of Outlaws History in the Lone Star State The...

RELATED ARTICLES

Atomic and Brownstown on Deck for Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

BATAVIA, Ohio (March 18, 2024) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is back...

Tim McCreadie to Rocket House Car

SHINNSTON, W.Va. (03/18/24) – Three-time national champion Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., has officially...

Clay Stuckey Tops March Madness from 19th with CCSDS at Springfield

Poplar Bluff Speedway and Old No. 1 Speedway Next Up on April 5 –...

Ricky Thornton, Jr. takes Northern All Star win at Florence Speedway

32 entries LATE MODELS A Feature 1 (50 Laps): 1. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr; 2. 157-Mike Marlar;...

Brandon Overton takes Hunt the Front win at Talledega Short Track!

46 entries DIRT SUPER LATE MODELS A Feature 1 (50 Laps): 1. 76-Brandon Overton; 2. 23-Cory...